Source: Michigan Farm News
The USDA is investing $2 million in research to test a new antiviral technology using hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO) to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry facilities. Led by Purdue University, the project aims to deploy HCO through fogging systems to reduce airborne virus transmission, a major cause of outbreaks. Researchers believe HCO can interfere with the virus’s ability to spread, offering a practical biosecurity solution for farmers.
The study will evaluate its antiviral effectiveness in labs, safety in chickens, and real-world performance in poultry housing. Previous research showed aerosolized HCO disrupted influenza viruses at low concentrations. With HPAI causing the loss of over 90 million birds in the U.S. since 2022, this innovation could provide a cost-effective, sustainable tool to reduce disease spread and economic losses in the poultry industry if proven successful.